Side view of a woman hand covering ears using plugs on the bed

Ears are one of the most advanced organs of the human body, responsible for transmitting sound to the brain and crucial for supporting the body’s sense of balance.

What many people don’t realise is that our ears are highly sensitive and often need to be protected when exposed to high-stress situations, which includes being exposed to noise, wind and water.

Are you unsure if you should be wearing ear plugs?

Here are 10 situations where ear plugs can help protect your ears from permanent damage or, at the very least, make your life easier.

Want to keep your ears protected? Visit the online store to browse our range of Australia’s best ear plugs, headphones and earmuffs.


1. Partners of Snorers

Snoring man - couple in bed Sleep and Sound

While many of us do not think about it, sleep is such a critical component of our overall health and wellbeing. Without adequate sleep, you risk fatigue, weight gain, heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety and a number of other health issues. Anyone who has a snoring partner knows exactly what a debilitating impact they can have on sleep, which makes sleep specific ear plugs ideal for sustaining your sleep patterns. Alpine Sleepsoft Earplugs are our number 1 best selling earplug for sleeping!


2. Musicians

Drummer Playing drums Sleep and Sound

Musicians continually expose themselves to sounds above 85 decibels. Extended or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels (approximately the level of a vacuum cleaner) can cause hearing loss.

This is why many musicians sadly suffer from hearing damage over time. Whether you’re in a lowkey jazz quartet or a high-intensity rock band, musicians ear plugs are a great way to safeguard you against excessive noise and damage to your ears.


3. Dentists

Young female dentist drilling tooth to patient

Dental clinics are filled with high decibel and high-frequency noises day after day, with sources including ultrasonic instruments, drills and evacuators. Dentists are exposed to the noise levels of 60 to 99 decibels. Research suggests that over time this can permanently damage hearing.

Sustained exposure can result in noise-induced hearing loss, but what many don’t realise is that noise-induced hearing loss is not reversible. Fortunately, it is preventable. This makes dental ear plugs a savvy choice for hygienists and assistants alike.


4. Motorcycle Riders

Motorcycle Riders Sleep and Sound

Riding at speed exposes your ears to extreme wind noise of more than 100 decibels, which is similar to the level of sound we are exposed to in a nightclub. Noise at this level can cause hearing loss in less than 15 minutes.

Over time, noise and wind exposure whilst riding a motorcycle can not only damage hearing but lead to conditions such as surfer’s ear, which sees the ear grow extra bone in the ear canal. The body does this in an effort to protect itself against the elements. Perfect for either touring and racing, Alpine Motosafe Earplugs PRO protect your ears from the wind and help eliminate that post-ride ringing.


5. Festival & Concert-Goers

Concert Party Goers Sleep and Sound

Watching your favourite bands play live shouldn’t be at the expense of your ear health. The average concert cranks at 100 to 140 decibels. Sadly, what a lot of people don’t know is that hearing damage can occur at levels over 85 decibels. This means that the chances of a concert-goer damaging their ears is quite high.

While general soft foam earplugs are a great form of protection, they are not ideal for concerts. Alpine PartyPlug Earplugs are designed to reduce noise to a safe level without compensating for the quality of music being heard. It’s just like turning down the volume a smidge.


6. Shift Workers

doctor and patient in hospital sleep and sound

The amount of street noise during the day can make it difficult for shift workers, such as doctors, nurses, bartenders and factory workers to sleep between their busy work schedules.

You can help reduce this noise by wearing ear plugs while sleeping or, if you don’t like having anything in your ears, by using white-noise makers like the Whish Sound Machine. You could also invest in noise-cancelling headphones or try the Earplugs with Earphones for Music.


7. Tinnitus Sufferers

Woman Suffering from Tinnitus Sleep and Sound

Research suggests that tinnitus, a condition that causes a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears, affects around one in three Australians during their lifetime, with around one in six suffering from chronic tinnitus. One of the best ways to manage this condition is by reducing exposure to noise with specially-designed ear plugs and noise-cancelling ear muffs.


8. Industrial Workers

Factory Worker Female Sleep and Sound

Hybrid hearing protection – ear plugs & Bluetooth headphones all in one – like the Plugfones Liberate 2.0 take ear protection to the next level by integrating noise cancelling ear plugs with Bluetooth Liberate wireless stereo speaker headphones.

Other options include ear plugs designed to block out damaging sounds while allowing the wearer to engage in conversation with colleagues and hear warning noises like alarms and sirens.


9. People Who Enjoy DIY

DIY Sanding Female Sleep and Sound

From sanding floorboards to operating drills, DIY comes with its own set of noise dangers. Even mowing the lawn can expose your ears to dangerously high decibel levels. Great for DIY buffs, the Guardian Plus Plugfone protects your ears from high noise levels and offers the freedom to listen to your favourite playlist or audiobook while getting the job done.


10. Children

unhappy modern girl in red pants with a earache on blue background Sleep and Sound

Kids have extremely sensitive ears, with research suggesting around one in eight children suffer from permanent hearing damage due to noise exposure. Designed for little ears, Alpine Muffy Children’s Earmuffs and Alpine Pluggies protect against loud music, heavy traffic, flight noise, fireworks and other high decibel scenarios.

The Alpine Baby Muffys are the perfect solution for protecting little ones’ ears from just three months old. Whether it’s a music event, busy city centre, noisy ride or flight or loud fireworks, the earmuffs will keep your baby’s ears safe and make it easier to sleep through the noise.

& have rebranded and have now become Sleep and Sound!